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ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT STUDIES

The Faculty offers undergraduate, MA and PhD programmes, as well as advanced professional development programmes.

Undergraduate studies last for four years and their completion bears at least 240 ECTS. They are carried out within the following departments: Political Science, International Studies, Journalism and Communication Studies, and Social Policy and Social Work.

The Commission for Accreditation and Quality Assurance of the Republic of Serbia granted accreditation to the following undergraduate programmes (the ruling no. 612-00-1976/2008-04): BA in Political Science; BA in International Politics; BA in Journalism; BA in Social Policy and Social Work.

UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES

1. Department of Political Science

Department of Political Science is the main department of political studies in the school. Modelled on comparable programmes in leading universities in Western Europe and North America, the undergraduate programme in political science in the Department provides students with an opportunity to learn widely about classical and contemporary political theory as well as contemporary political science and methodology.

By the end of the four-year programme, students will have acquired knowledge and skills that will enable them to perform successfully in decision-making and other positions in government, public administration, local government, political parties, civic groups and NGOs.

2. Department of International Studies

Ever since the foundation of the Faculty of Political Sciences, its Department of International Studies has been the country’s leading centre for the training of diplomats, international relations and foreign policy experts, including those involved in international relations divisions of political parties and large businesses. The Department of International Studies is a strong teaching and research centre in the fields of international political and economic relations, foreign policy, international law and international organizations, area studies (including European, Balkan, American, and Asian studies), security studies, peace studies and related disciplines.

Knowledge and skills that students gain in the course of their studies will enable them to perform successfully in the following positions: international relations analyst in government and large international corporations; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or a related ministry official; diplomat based in diplomatic and consular missions; expert for the issues of European integration and for related issues in international governmental and nongovernmental organizations.

3. Department of Journalism and Communication Studies

For over four decades, the Department of Journalism and Communication Studies has provided a unique undergraduate programme in Serbia and the wider region.

Graduates from this programme hold key positions in print and electronic media, public relations agencies and public opinion research institutions, often as editors, journalists, experts and researchers. By the end of their studies of journalism, students will have acquired knowledge and skills necessary to work as editors, managers, presenters, PR experts and to take other positions in contemporary media and communication industry. In addition, graduates will be highly competitive in the following positions: cultural and press attachés in diplomatic and consular missions; media planner; spokesperson in government, public administration, political parties and large corporations; professional associate in the cabinet of the Commissioner for Free Access to Information of Public Importance.

4. Department of Social Policy and Social Work

Social policy and social work training at university level involves a complex interdisciplinary study required for various demanding roles of social policy and social work in contemporary society. In the course of the four-year programme, students acquire diverse theoretical and methodological knowledge from the disciplines of sociology, political science, psychology, economics and law, with a particular focus on social policy and social work.

Social policy and social work provide a wide range of employment opportunities in the public and private sector, including self-employment. Most students find employment in social care institutions (social work centres; institutions for the care of psychologically and socially impaired children; youth, marriage and family counselors; institutions and services for the care of old and/or disabled, and for other specific and social problems), health care services, government and local government, primary and secondary education (as part of specialized teams in schools, particularly in special education), employment agencies, humanitarian organizations, institutions for children, youth and social care of children, etc.

GRADUATE STUDIES

The FPS has commenced the process of harmonization with the Bologna reform with respect to its graduate programmes:

the new programmes meet highest academic and professional standards;

the programmes respond to demands from our society and academia aiming to harmonise academic knowledge and practical skills;

leading professors and experts from home and abroad are involved in teaching.

Students with background in disciplines other than political science are also welcome to apply to our graduate programmes. We strongly encourage interdisciplinary approach in the study of social phenomena as well as interactive teaching methods.

We offer a year-long MA programme (at least 60 ECTS providing that 240 ECTS had been obtained on undergraduate studies). The Commission for Accreditation and Quality Assurance of the Republic of Serbia granted accreditation to the following MA programmes (the ruling no. 612-00-1976/2008-04):

MA in Political Science

MA in International Studies

MA in Journalism

MA in Social Policy and Social Work

MA in Communication Studies

MA in Culture and Gender Studies.

We also offer three-year-long PhD programmes. The Commission for Accreditation and Quality Assurance of the Republic of Serbia granted accreditation to the following PhD programmes (the ruling no. 612-00-1976/2008-04):

PhD in Political Science

PhD in International and European Studies

PhD in Cultural and Media Studies

PhD in Social Policy and Social Work.

We are developing joint academic programmes with leading international universities, aiming to extend opportunities for our students even further. Being sensitive to demands coming from society and academia, we keep our programmes always under review

RESEARCH AT THE FPS

Key aims behind research at the FPS are development of scholarship, improvement in the quality of teaching, training of young scholars and students, as well as financial contribution to the development of the FPS.

Research is carried out through:

large collaborative long-term research projects funded by the Ministry of Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia

other collaborative research projects and consulting work

individual research.

PERMANENT EDUCATION

The FPS recently started its adult education programmes for which there is a growing demand in our country. This form of education is conducted at the Centre for Permanent Education.

Adult education offers an opportunity to those who want to acquire additional education and training to meet new needs – demand for new working profiles, programmes and skills. Adult educational programmes offer knowledge and skills required to perform certain jobs taking into account significant time constraints that adult students, engaged in full-time work, face on a daily basis.

That the FPS already attracts a large number of undergraduate and graduate students as well as students involved in professional development programmes provides some indication about its credibility and attractiveness of this academic field. Building upon this broad appeal, the FPS organizes academic programmes and professional development training adjusted to the people who are committed to their studies, but face severe time constraints.